What is Digg?50 Comments
- captinherb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+23But be wary of brand extension if your producing a product. P&G has this figured out, thats why they don't have a P&G brand, they have a Pampers, Tide, Dawn, Crest etc... each leads there category in sales. Other companies fall for the brand extension trap and end up diluting their brand and ultimately losing sales.
- essellewohc, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Some excellent pointers that most people miss. Especially the part about upselling other services. If your customers loved what you delivered and trusted in your work and recommendations, they'll easily gobble whatever you provide. That could be a substantial part of the pie :)
- wattznext, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9Perhaps English is not your first language?
- melondoc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8Top reasons why customers stopped dealing with a company: http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2007/0 ...
- captinherb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Cousin, thrice removed. BTW is this a pic of you?
http://www.disobey.com/ghostsites/mef/sockpuppet2. ... - superrandomguy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+63 questions is pushing it...i hate surveys.
Maybe if you spread the questions out to multiple calls it'd be less intrusive. - KevenM, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Great questions. If you don't have the time to ask all three, I find that the single one still works well: "Will you recommend us?"
- PabloMac, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Spam is near the top of the list of reasons I won't support a business.
- sockpuppets, on 10/10/2007, -2/+7Are you any relation to Captain Crunch?
- pittpat, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5I think the point was to help businesses help customers.
- Firehed, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Sounds like you're the kind of customer that won't be missed.
- sockpuppets, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5I personally believe the U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh...
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3The point is absolutely to help customers. Each of the three questions is based around how the business can help people more. (or more people!)
- johnnyfatstacks, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2how about?
1) i already convinced you that i have done (and will continue to do what this guy suggests); now what else can i do?
2) what was it, that i did/said, that earned your trust?
3) who else do you know that could benefit from the level of service(s) that i have provided to you?
if you show a legitimate ROI to your customer; they will be YOUR customer no matter where you go. - DeadPanDan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I wouldn't mind being asked these questions directly, but I despise survey cards. Talking with someone about their business can possibly be fun. Filling out forms is just tedious work.
- Raisuli, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1And the number one question: do you want fries with that?
- execute85, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1This article is bad for many reasons. Mostly because customers will tell you this stuff all the time. And if you ask this, you won't get a decent answer. In fact, you will annoy your good customers with questions like this. But at least the list was short, usually they stretch this dreck to a 10.
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Thanks, edithsan .. what questions will you be asking your customers?
- edithsan, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3We all need to ask!!
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I disagree. The market simply doesn't bear this out. Most customers will *not* volunteer information, but if you ask them in a way that shows you respect them and their business, it can really work. That given, it may not work in every industry, with every business (or with every personality, and every means of asking), but it will work for many businesses.
I challenge you to provide backup to your statement, especially since it's so absolute. I'll be happy to eat my words if need be, but I'm certain a lot of business owners would agree with the spirit of the post. - kesam, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Depends on what kind of business you're talking about. If a hot dog seller starts to ask me about my business relationship with him, I agree with you. If it's a consultant asking his business clients, then these questions are highly relevant.
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Good point, and it wasn't my intent to present it as a survey, but rather a "ask any/all as it make sense in your interactions with the customer." Not a big fan of surveys myself.
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Good follow up question. Whether they reply Yes or No, be sure to find out why as well ...
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Good riffs on the questions. My 3 questions are starter questions, and you're doing exactly the right thing with them - tweaking them to fit what you think will work best for your business.
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Awesome. That would probably be the *other* Dave Navarro.
- myrako9, on 01/01/2008, -0/+0Good stuff -good salespeople already know and do this - many other's know it and don't do it. They are the one's whose business I steal everyday.
sam
http://www.jubblo.com
http://www.linkspimp.net - betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Great point, Cap'n (I used to work for P&G, way back when). They are masters of having 'competing' brands of the same type of product ... and making money off of each loyal camp.
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0LOL
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Thanks for the kind words - Dave
- vladimirmilici, on 12/10/2007, -0/+0If you provide your customers with a superior product/service most will be happy to help you grow your business. All you have to do is ask.
http://www.banterous.com/ - ticinocantone, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0straight to the point questions, look simple enough and easy to see results, thanks for the tip!
- betterfasternow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0It doesn't have to be tedious (or a survey) - depending on how you interact with your customers, you could make the experience enjoyable (and rewarding to the customer).
- Firehed, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Yeah, I can just imagine my cable company asking me these questions. No kidding about not working in every industry.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1well that's stupid.
*****. - JMarkH, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Good stuff. Basics. Rinse & repeat. If more folks mastered the basics and checked their skills along the way, I gotta wonder how much more profitable they would be.
- DavidGX, on 10/10/2007, -5/+4Should be about helping customers, not businesses. Buried.
- jarrrrod, on 10/10/2007, -7/+0From my point of view your ideas of customers treating at least worth an attention.
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